Teasing as a Sung Speech Genre of Vlach Gypsy Couples in the Sub-Carpathian Region
Teasing as a Sung Speech Genre of Vlach Gypsy Couples in the Sub-Carpathian Region

Summary/Abstract: The article describes several aspects of a Sub-Carpathian Vlach Gypsy teasing song genre, for the first time discussing Gypsy groups living in this area. The speech genre of teasing in egalitarian societies, as well as in Gypsy communities, is an important means of exercising social control. The performers of teasing songs are spouses or substitutes for spouses. Other members of the community who are present accompany the singing or serve as scaffolders in the event. The main purpose of these performances is to resolve the couple's conflicts or to console in the case of the loss of one partner. The main reasons for conflict in these songs is the husband's drunkenness and the quarreling nature of the wife. The words consist of both permanent and improvised elements which are segmented by regulated formulas. The success of teasing, namely, to avoid hurting one another, is ensured by a large variety of verbal and non-verbal cues. Musically speaking, the teasing texts are sung to typical Vlach Gypsy songs which are slow, lyrical 6- -syllable songs with rich intertextual connections. The author suggests that the popularity of this genre is a result of endangered traditional family values due to the sudden prosperity experienced by some communities as a consequence of perestroika. This genre serves as a means to restore these values.

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